: My 14 year old son has had a swollen lymph node at the base of his skull for at least 10 months. Over that time it has grown slightly, although it seems to have periods where it is bigger for a day or to then reduces back to its normal size. He has been seen by two GPs and a specialist (twice), who feel there is nothing to worry about but at my insistance have put him on the hospital waiting list to have it removed. He is otherwise perfectly healthy. However 2 months ago he had a blood test which showed his lympocytes were a bit high, this was repeated a few weeks ago with the same result. I was told this was probably because he was fighting a virus. My husband and I just do not know what to do. Should I seek yet another medical opinion in the hope that he will be bumped up on the waiting list, should we somehow find the money to put him in a private hospital or should I just believe the doctors? One told me if it was cancer he would be very sick by now, another said he could present no symptoms at all. We really don't know what to do and would appreciate any help whatsoever.

Believe me I know what worry is when it comes to your child. My daughter had a node to swell up at the base of her skull, but it went away. If it comes back she will have it removed and a biopsy done. Please take your son for another opinion, and insist on having it removed and a biopsy. This is your child and either way it would ease your mined. Just tell your Dr. that you want a biopsy, insist on it.